Live Younger Longer - I'm not just an employee, I'm also a patient

I was recently talking with a colleague of mine, half-gloating and half-jokingly, about how I had never been to the emergency room in my almost three-years working at Ukiah Valley Medical Center.

In retrospect, I should have knocked on wood right then and there!

As you might expect this is when my first experience begins ? and it's Halloween!

I received a call from my son's school informing me of a playground collision. I quickly dropped what I was doing and headed to school. Sure enough, he needed stitches.

As my son and I entered the ER lobby we were met by my wife. We proceeded to check-in to what seemed to be an empty ER ? or so we thought. Minutes roll by; an hour rolls by, lobby has gone from empty to full, before we're finally shown to our room.

Once we were in a bed more time passed. Our nurses and doctor came in and out waiting for the right time to stitch my son back up ? he's going to call his doctor "Dr. Stitch" from now on!

This experience gave me a greater perspective on the urgent need for a new ER and how vital this service is for the future of our community. As a father of a patient I was able to experience the cramped quarters and double occupancy rooms where a curtain divides and health care worker's elbows collide as they attend to patients on either side ? that rhymed!

Currently UVMC is launching a capital campaign, "The Campaign for My Hospital," to raise funds for the expansion of a new ER, Intensive Care Unit, and Trauma Center. The current ER was built back when there were three hospitals in town and UVMC was expected to see an average of 22 patients per day. Today the ER averages 70 patients per day ? projections are only increasing as our population ages and we receive more patients seeking care from surrounding communities.

I encourage you to take a look at, "The Campaign for My Hospital", by visiting www.uvmcphilanthropy.org. You can read inspiring stories of why community members just like you give to this project ? or share your own ER experience! Remember that when you give you're not only contributing to your overall well-being but the well-being of our community for generations to come ? now that is one powerful gift isn't it!?

While we're on the subject of well-being ? I want to invite you to our free diabetes screening on World Diabetes Day, Thursday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year we're trying something a little different. Rather than coming to the hospital for your free screening, we're hosting the screening at Walmart, so you can have your screening and get your shopping done at the same time! The screening is quick, relatively painless, and takes about a minute.

Until next week stay healthy my friends!

Nick Bejarano is the Regional Corporate Development and Communication Manager for Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital and Ukiah Valley Medical Center. He's regretting that he forgot to knock on wood, but is glad his first ER experience went so well!